Greyhounds are one of the fastest and most active dog breeds out there. When you cross them with energetic Huskies, you get the loyal Greyhound Husky mix.
These are popular pets due to their friendly nature and excellent hunting abilities.
If you want to find out more about the Greyhound Husky mix, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll talk about the breed’s origins, behavior, and appearance.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this canine companion.
Understanding the Greyhound Husky Mix Origin
As you can guess by the name, this mix is a cross between Greyhounds and Huskies. These are two of the most common furry friends in the world.
When you look at the characteristics of both breeds, it’s no surprise that we decided to cross them. They can handle rough environments and have amazing stamina.
To help you better understand the mix, let’s take a look at the parent breeds.
Greyhounds
Greyhounds are one of the world’s oldest pedigree dogs and have been around for centuries. For thousands of years, they’ve participated in many aspects of human life.
In the early days, Greyhounds were especially popular with hunters. Because of their ability to run at great speeds, this breed was excellent at tracking down deer.
Then, as the need for active hunting began to die down, these pups made their way to the sports arena.
Instead of helping humans gather food, they shifted into dog racing and hare coursing.
The breed’s physical characteristics made them particularly adapted for these sports. For starters, they have tough, padded feet, aerodynamic skulls, and a narrow build.
On top of that, their bodies have an inverted S-shape. This decreases the amount of air resistance on the dog and allows it to run much faster.
Aside from that, Greyhounds are noble creatures with a mild temper and a friendly nature.
Huskies
Many of us are familiar with the Husky breed. From striking blue eyes to a thick, shiny coat, there are many features that make these dogs unique.
We can trace the origin of these canines to ancient Siberia. Due to the cold temperatures there, these dogs had to develop many adaptations.
First off, Huskies have furry paws with tough skin. This allows them to run in freezing temperatures without feeling the chill. In addition, they have double coats, which trap heat.
For these reasons, the canines quickly became designated sled dogs. They would pull travelers for hundreds of miles through thick, snowy terrains.
This brings us to what most people consider a Husky’s greatest asset, endurance. This breed is one of the most resilient animals in the wild.
Not only do they have exceptional stamina, but they also have incredible durability. Some can even go days without food or water.
Common Greyhound Husky Mix Names
The official name of this hybrid breed is Greyhound Husky. Although, just like most other animal mixes, breeders come up with many adorable names.
Most of the time, the designations are a play on the names of the parent breeds. We combine parts of each one to create a catchy tag.
Some examples include:
- Houndsky
- Husky Greyhound
- Grey Houndsky
- Siberian Huskyhound
Some people also refer to this breed as Greysky, but this name isn’t all that common.
Main Physical Characteristics of Greyhound Husky Mix
Now that we’ve covered the history of Houndskies, we can move on to their physical attributes. Let’s dive straight into what these dogs look like!
Build
As with most hybrids, you expect the pup to have some characteristics from both parents. Houndskies are no exception.
Greyhounds will typically weigh anywhere from about 65 to 70 pounds. This is slightly on the larger side when it comes to canines.
As for Huskies, they tend to weigh around 45 to 60 pounds.
Together, these two breeds result in a dog that’s about 45 to 50 pounds. That makes for an adorable mid-sized pup.
Besides that, Houndskies have a slender build with long, pronounced snouts. They mainly resemble the frame of Greyhounds, but with bulkier chests.
Although, they get their eye shape and color from their Husky ancestors. That means Greyhound Husky mixes have bright blue irises with brown spots.
Appearance
Since Husky Greyhounds are a hybrid, their physical appearance can vary greatly.
When you crossbreed two animals, the offspring should look like a perfect mixture of them. Sadly, that’s not always the case with genetics.
Most of the time, there’s no telling what features they’ll pass on.
That’s why some Houndskies will look more like Greyhounds. These canines are born with slender bodies and long legs.
Others take on the characteristics of Huskies. For example, some Huskyhounds are born with thicker coats and fuller faces.
When it comes to the eyes, most Greyskies are born with blue, speckled eyes. Yet, that’s not set in stone.
Sometimes these dogs will have brown eyes or even gray, depending on the parents.
The only feature most Houndskies seem to share is the shape of their ears. Generally, these pups will have large, floppy ears that can stand upright.
Coat
There’s a bit of variation when it comes to Houndsky coats.
Typically, these pups will have patches of salt-and-pepper fur running along their backs. They’ll also have white chests and bellies.
On the other hand, some Huskyhounds have a solid, deep charcoal gray coat.
Luckily, the color of the fur won’t affect the canine’s physiology or behavior. That means you can love the pup regardless of its coat.
Moving on to the tail, Greyskies will usually have long, fluffy tails, which allows them to stay warm even in freezing temperatures.
The fur length of these hybrid dogs can change depending on their origins.
For instance, a Houndsky pup can be born with a short coat like a Greyhound, or a long one like a Husky.
In fact, some Huskyhounds are born with a mixture of the two. Their fur will resemble that of an Irish Setter.
Behavioral Patterns of Greyhound Husky Mix
Figuring out a Houndsky’s temperament can be a little tricky. Since they are hybrids, their behavior can change quite a bit.
However, there are a couple of behavioral patterns that you can expect to find in this breed. Let’s take a look at the most common traits of Greyhound Huskies.
Loyal
If you look at the parent breeds of this hybrid, you’ll notice they have one attribute in common: both dogs are exceptionally loyal. Thankfully, they pass on that trait to their offspring.
This gives us one of the most faithful dog breeds in the world.
Houndskies are incredibly loyal to their owners and family. That also makes them a tad protective.
They want to make sure that everyone they love is safe. So, Greyskies will monitor their territory and keep away any intruders.
This may lead to slight aggression, but this is by no means the norm.
Friendly
One of the defining traits of Houndskies is how friendly they can be. They have no problems with strangers and can warm up to almost anyone, human or animal.
Most of the time, these dogs will inherit the happy-go-lucky attitude of Huskies. They’ll enjoy exploring nature with a companion and frolicking in the sun.
In addition, these dogs also love large crowds in wide-open spaces.
This makes them especially great if you have kids. The Greyskies are child-friendly and make excellent park buddies.
Energetic
When you think of a puppy, you imagine a tiny fur ball full of excitement and energy. Most Houndsky pups match this description to a T.
These dogs are born with tons of spirit and have a wonderful zest for life.
When given space and freedom, Greyskies can run around for hours on end without getting tired.
Other than that, they’re also incredibly playful. They’re always in the mood to throw around a ball or go chasing after a squirrel.
Keen Hunters
Both Greyhounds and Huskies are excellent hunters. So, it should come as no surprise to find out that Grey Houndskies also share this skill.
This hybrid inherited the superior intelligence of Huskies with the speed of Greyhounds.
That means there are very few animals that can keep up with the pups on land.
On top of that, Greyskies are also great swimmers. So, they can follow their prey anywhere it goes.
Main Health Concerns for Greyhound Husky Mix
Greyhound Husky mixes have an average lifespan for dogs. Generally, they can live for anywhere between 10 and 14 years.
Throughout this lifetime, most Houndskies will lead healthy lives with minimal veterinary care. As long as they stay active, they’ll maintain their energy and demeanor for the majority of their lives.
Although, there are some conditions that can pose risks to the breed. These include:
- Eye conditions (cataracts and glaucoma)
- Kidney issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Bloating
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
For the most part, these conditions don’t affect Greysky puppies. Instead, they’re far more common with aging dogs.
However, you need to monitor your pet’s health to ensure it doesn’t develop any of these symptoms.
This is why vets recommend that you take in your Houndsky for a checkup every six months. The doctor will help you manage the dog’s eating and exercise habits.
Exercising Needs for Greyhound Husky Mix
As you can imagine, these fluffy balls of energy will need plenty of daily activity. This will allow them to develop their skills and stay in tip-top shape.
On average, Greyhound Huskies will need around one to two hours of exercise a day.
Fortunately, these canines aren’t all that picky about how they spend their time.
So, you can split the exercise duration over a few different activities. For example, you can start with a brisk walk, then move on to playing catch.
Not only will this fulfill the exercise requirements, but it also helps with bonding.
As a general rule, it’s best to exercise a Greyhound Husky in the morning. This time in the sun will boost your dog’s immunity and mood.
Training Potential of Greyhound Husky Mix
Because of how smart they are and their friendly nature, Houndskies are easy to train.
They can pick up on commands quite rapidly and enjoy learning new tricks.
Although there are a few tips that can help streamline the process.
For starters, it’s always best to start conditioning as soon as possible. Once they reach the 10-week age mark, their training should begin.
Other than that, you also want to kick off with simple commands, like sitting or jumping. After that, you can gradually increase the complexity of the tricks.
Finally, positive reinforcement is key to speedy training. Make sure you give the pup plenty of treats and pats on the back when they successfully learn a new skill.
Dietary Needs of Greyhound Husky Mix
To keep up with Grey Houndskies’ active lifestyle, the canines need plenty of food. Ideally, these dogs will need about three meals a day.
The size of the meals will differ depending on how large your Houndsky is.
However, regardless of the size, this breed requires a well-balanced diet. This usually mainly consists of protein in the form of chicken, beef, or salmon.
Plus, canines also need a few other nutrients that they can get from fruits and vegetables.
Other than that, Houndsky owners should limit the amount of carbs their pet consumes. Even though it can provide a lot of energy, it may cause health issues later on.
As a general rule, it’s best to consult a vet about your pet’s diet. That way, you’ll ensure the furball gets all the nutrients they need.
Wrapping Up
When deciding on adopting a Greyhound Husky mix, there are a few factors to consider.
For starters, these canines are incredibly loyal, friendly, and energetic. On top of that, they’re excellent hunters and companions.
With the right diet and exercise plans, these dogs can live up to 14 years of age with no health issues. With all this information in mind, you’re ready to head to a breeder and adopt a Grey Houndsky.